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Standard functional manipulations have been proven to imply a remarkable property satisfied by the fermionic Green's functions of QCD and dubbed effective locality. Resulting from a full gauge invariant summation of the gauge field degrees of freedom, effective locality is a non-perturbative property of QCD. This unexpected result has lead to suspect that the famous Gribov copy problem had been somewhat overlooked. It is argued that it is not so. The analysis is conducted in the strong coupling limit, relevant to the Gribov problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure of perennial ryegrass‐based pastures to persist beyond 3 years post‐sowing is an increasing threat to the sustainability of livestock industries in the north of New Zealand. Little is known of the long‐term responses of plants and populations to the environmental stresses responsible for persistence failure, or the effects of ryegrass genetics on those responses. Plants were collected from 10‐year‐old pastures sown in two environments (Waikato, North Island: warm‐temperate, summer/autumn dry; Canterbury, South Island: cool temperate, irrigated) to four ryegrass functional types and grazed by dairy cattle. Surviving plants in Canterbury pastures were almost all true‐to‐type for the original genotype, whereas there was substantial ingress of volunteer plants in the diploid cultivars in Waikato. Plants confirmed as true‐to‐type were compared to reference plants grown from the original seed lines. Leaf mass was lower in survivor plants than in reference plants for all functional types. This effect was reversed by recruitment of new plants from seed in a grazing deferment treatment applied at the Waikato site 18 months before plant collection, in a manner consistent with epigenetic control. Reproductive development was delayed by 4–6 days in survivors of mid‐ and late flowering diploid cultivars: this effect appeared to be the result of true genetic differentiation. There was less aftermath heading in the Canterbury survivors, but not Waikato survivors, compared with the reference plants. The relevance of these findings for ryegrass survival strategies and targeted selection of traits for improved persistence is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured the Ca2 red system using filtered laser excitation to simplify the spectrum. The transition is assigned A 1Σ+u -X 1Σ+g, where X is the previously studied van der Waals ground state and A correlates adiabatically to 1S+1D calcium atoms. The A state suffers many homogeneous and heterogeneous perturbations, which are assigned to interactions with components of c 3Πu. Following deperturbation of the band spectra, we find that the A state dissociation energy, D’e is 8694±2 cm-1, with a vibrational frequency, ωe, of 126.73±0.11 cm-1, and an equilibrium internuclear separation, Re, of 3.63 Å. The analysis shows c 3Πu, which correlates to 1S+3P atoms, is bound by at least 1170 cm-1, with ωe≥67.7 cm-1 and Re≤4.25 Å. The assignment of the previously analyzed green system of Ca2 is revised to B 1Σ+u– X 1Σ+g, where B correlates adiabatically to 1S+1P atoms. The new assignment gives B a dissociation energy of 5783 cm-1, and resolves some confusion about the origin of the Ca2 red and green systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this work, a simulation tool for an integrated temperature swing adsorption (TSA) carbondioxide ( CO 2 ) capture process is introduced and used to study the feasibility of the process for biogas upgrading applications. The TSA process consists of interconnected multi-stage fluidized bed columns and utilizes solid amine sorbents for selective adsorption of CO 2 . The simulation tool has been developed in the process simulation software IPSEpro™ and performs mass- and energy balance calculations that are based on a suitable adsorption equilibrium model. Changes of the adsorbent CO 2 loadings and the corresponding heating or cooling requirements are calculated for the individual fluidized bed stages of the adsorber and desorber column. The adsorption equilibrium calculations have been performed, using a Langmuir model that was fitted to CO 2 adsorption data of an amine functionalized solid sorbent material. Within this work, the qualitative impact of the regeneration temperature and the stripping gas feeding rate on the overall process performance has been studied. Furthermore, the feasibility for integration of a high temperature compression heat pump (HP) has been assessed. The HP recovers heat from the adsorber to drive adsorbent regeneration within the desorber. Results obtained from this work clearly indicate a great potential of the multi-stage fluidized bed TSA process for biogas upgrading, especially in combination with the proposed heat pump configuration. Highlights • Innovative temperature swing adsorption model for biogas upgrading. • Simulation of a fully continuous fluidized bed TSA process. • Energy results of the proposed TSA process for biogas upgrading in terms of active cooling/heating and electricity supply. • Integrated heat pump concept enables potential energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxygen therapy has been used routinely in normoxemic patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) despite limited evidence supporting a beneficial effect. AMI is associated with a systemic inflammation. Here, we hypothesized that the inflammatory response to AMI is potentiated by oxygen therapy.Methods: The DETermination of the role of Oxygen in suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction (DETO2X-AMI) multicentre trial randomized patients with suspected AMI to receive oxygen at 6 L min-1 for 6-12 h or ambient air. For this prespecified subgroup analysis, we recruited patients with confirmed AMI from two sites for evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers at randomization and 5-7 h later. Ninety-two inflammatory biomarkers were analysed using proximity extension assay technology, to evaluate the effect of oxygen on the systemic inflammatory response to AMI.Results: Plasma from 144 AMI patients was analysed whereof 76 (53%) were randomized to oxygen and 68 (47%) to air. Eight biomarkers showed a significant increase, whereas 13 were decreased 5-7 h after randomization. The inflammatory response did not differ between the two treatment groups neither did plasma troponin T levels. After adjustment for increase in troponin T over time, age and sex, the release of inflammation-related biomarkers was still similar in the groups.Conclusions: In a randomized controlled setting of normoxemic patients with AMI, the use of supplemental oxygen did not have any significant impact on the early release of systemic inflammatory markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Background and aims Traits related to root depth distribution were examined in Trifolium repens x T. uniflorum backcross 1 (BC1) hybrids to determine whether root characteristics of white clover could be improved by interspecific hybridization. * Methods Two white clover cultivars, two T. uniflorum accessions and two BC1 populations were grown in 1 -m deep tubes of sand culture. Maximum rooting depth and root mass distribution were measured at four harvests over time, and root distribution data were fitted with a regression model to provide measures of root system shape. Morphological traits were measured at two depths at harvest 3. * Key Results Root system shape of the hybrids was more similar to T. uniflorum than to white clover. The hybrids and T. uniflorum had a higher rate of decrease in root mass with depth than white clover, which would result in higher proportions of root mass in the upper profile. Percentage total root mass at 100-200 mm depth was higher for T. uniflorum than white clover, and for Crusader BC1 than 'Crusader'. Roots of the hybrids and T. uniflorum also penetrated deeper than those of white clover. T. uniflorum had thicker roots at 50-100 mm deep than the other entries, and more of its fine root mass at 400-500 mm. The hybrids and white clover had more of their fine root mass higher in the profile. Consequently, T. uniflorum had a higher root length density at 400-500 mm than most entries, and a smaller decrease in root length density with depth. * Conclusions These results demonstrate that rooting characteristics of white clover can be altered by hybridization with T. uniflorum, potentially improving water and nutrient acquisition and drought resistance. Root traits of T. uniflorum are likely to be adaptations to soil moisture and fertility in its natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative problem solving, when students work in pairs or small groups on a curriculum-related task, has become an increasingly common feature of classroom education. This paper reports a study of a topic which has received relatively little attention: how teachers can most usefully intervene when students are working in a group, but have encountered some sort of problem. The data used comes from a large-scale interventional study of mathematics and science teaching in secondary schools in south-east England, in which interactions between teachers and students were recorded in their usual classrooms. We identify the typical problem situations which lead to teachers’ interventions, and describe the different ways teachers were observed to intervene. We examine the different types of intervention, and consider how effective they are in helping group work proceed in a productive manner. Finally, we offer some conclusions about the practical implications of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical analysis is provided of the extent to which doses from ultraviolet (UV) reactors in series are additive. It is shown that UV reactors' reduction equivalent dose (RED) depends on the sensitivity of the microbe, the limits of which are the minimum and average of the dose distribution for infinitely sensitive and infinitely resistant microbes. For complete interbank mixing between two reactors in series, the additivity of RED is preserved. For systems where there is a negative correlation between dose paths, the RED is greater than or equal to twice that of a single reactor. The converse occurs for positive correlation. It is proven that when a single reactor is validated with a microbe whose sensitivity is at least twice that of the target microbe, it is assured that two identical UV reactors in series will deliver a RED at least two times that of the single reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The end-Permian mass extinction resulted in the most dramatic degradation of marine bottom communities during the Phanerozoic. One result of this extinction was the long-recognized, extreme reduction in bioturbation of the Early Triassic seafloor. Several lines of evidence (i.e., preferential preservation of epifaunal and very shallow-tier infaunal trace fossils; paucity of mid- and deep-tier trace fossils; absence of mottled bioturbation textures; dominance of cohesive substrates; widespread occurrence of microbially induced sedimentary structures in open-marine environments; ecological composition of Early Triassic communities) show that the reduction in bioturbation was so extreme that the sedimentary mixed layer was eradicated at an interregional scale for the only time since it was established in the early Palaeozoic. The consequences of this for ecosystem function and geochemical cycling must have been profound and yet they have received little consideration. Biogenic mixing of sediments is fundamental to geochemical cycling in extant marine ecosystems, and it also governs ecologically limiting factors such as nutrient fluxes, benthic primary production, and availability of ecospace. The collapse of biogenic sediment mixing during the Early Triassic must have affected geochemical properties of sediments and the seawater, as reflected in the geologic record of the sulphur cycle. Additionally, many of the proxies traditionally used to infer Early Triassic seawater anoxia may rather reflect poor sediment oxygenation arising from the extinction of bioturbators. Because of its impact on seawater and sediment chemistry, the loss of the mixed layer may have been an important, but hitherto little-considered constraint on the recovery from the end-Permian mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used nine populations of Trifolium repens L. (white clover) to investigate possible relationships between plant morphological attributes and responses to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. Plants were exposed to 0 or 13.3 kJ·m−2·day−1 UV-B for 12 weeks. Drought was applied in parallel to these treatments during the last 4 weeks of the experiment to test whether limited moisture availability would alter morphological UV-B responses. UV-B affected plant morphology under well-watered conditions, reducing leaf size by 15%, leaf number by 5% and stolon elongation by 19%. The number of leaf primordia in the apical bud was decreased by 4% under UV-B, and by 12% under drought. In drought-exposed plants, leaf size was reduced by 50%, leaf number by 30% and stolon elongation by 60%. In addition, drought reduced specific leaf area (SLA) by 33% and increased leaf percentage dry mass (PDM) by 40%. UV-B-induced reduction in plant biomass in the T. repens populations was associated with higher plant productivity and this was further linked to larger leaf size as well as to lower PDM. In conclusion, the findings suggest that morphological attributes conferring fast potential growth under productive conditions carry a cost in the form of lower biomass accumulation under UV-B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reticulum is the second part of the ruminant forestomach, located between the rumen and the omasum and characterized by honeycomb-like internal mucosa. With its fluid contents, it plays a decisive role in particle separation. Differences among species have been linked to their feeding style. We investigated whether reticulum size (absolute and in relation to rumen size) and size of the crests that form the mucosal honeycomb pattern differ among over 60 ruminant species of various body sizes and feeding type, controlling for phylogeny. Linear dimensions generally scaled allometrically, that is to body mass0.33. With or without controlling for phylogeny, species that ingest a higher proportion of grass in their natural diet had both significantly larger (higher) rumens and higher reticular mucosa crests, but neither reticulum height nor reticulum width varied with feeding type. The height of the reticular mucosa crests represents a dietary adaptation in ruminants. We suggest that the reticular honeycomb structures do not separate particles by acting as traps (neither for small nor for large particles), but that the structures reduce the lumen of the reticulum during contractions – at varying degrees of completeness in the different feeding types. In browsing species with rumen contents that may be less fluid and more viscous than those of the reticulum, incomplete closure of the lumen may allow the reticulum to retain the fluid necessary for particle separation. In grazing species, whose rumen contents are more stratified with a larger distinct fluid pool, a more complete closure of the reticular lumen due to higher crests may be beneficial as the reticulum can quickly re-fill with fluid rumen contents that contain pre-sorted particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the impact of aquatic humic matter on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis by ultraviolet (UV) light. Methods and Results: A bench-scale study investigated the potential for Aldrich® humic acid (AHA) and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SR-NOM) to coat the surface of E. coli and B. subtilis and offer protection from low-pressure UV light. UV doses of 5 and 14 mJ cm−2 were applied using a collimated beam at four concentrations of humic matter (0, 10, 50 and 120 mg l−1) in reagent grade water. Both AHA and SR-NOM were found to offer statistically significant protection of both E. coli and B. subtilis at concentrations of 50 and 120 mg l−1 for a UV dose of 14 mJ cm−2. Conclusions: Both E. coli and B. subtilis are susceptible to coating by humic matter which can reduce the sensitivity of the cells to UV light. Significance and impact of the study: Micro-organisms in the environment may acquire characteristics through interaction with humic matter that render them more resistant to UV disinfection than would be predicted based on laboratory inactivation studies using clean cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the postulate that photon propagation is governed by a dynamically broken SU(2) gauge symmetry (scale ∼10-4 eV) we make predictions for temperature offsets due to a low-temperature (a few times the present CMB temperature) spectral anomaly at low frequencies. Temperature offsets are extracted from least-square fits of the anomalous black-body spectra to their conventional counterparts. We discuss statistical errors, compare our results with those obtained from calibration data of the FIRAS instrument, and point out that our predicted offsets are screened by experimental errors given the frequency range used by FIRAS to perform their spectral fits. We also make contact with the WMAP observation by blueshifting their frequency bands. Although our results hint towards a strong dynamical component in the CMB dipole and an explanation of low-l suppression, it is important in view of its particle-physics implications that the above postulate be verified/falsified by an independent low-temperature black-body precision experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note identifies potential side effects of using ammonia to inhibit bromate formation during the ozonation of drinking water, and makes preliminary predictions of their significance. Based on kinetic calculations, it is expected that ammonia would not exert a significant ozone demand and consequently would have little impact on the ozonation process. The ammonia needed to inhibit bromate formation is also not expected to promote nitrification in distribution systems, since the ammonia would either typically be removed through breakpoint chlorination or would be used to form chloramines. However, the impact of ammonia on biologically active filters, which often follow ozonation, is more difficult to evaluate since the issue has not been directly studied, and the role of nitrogen in the biological processes in such an environment is complex. Further, if chlorine were being used for secondary disinfection, any ammonia that persisted in the treated water would exert a demand and would have to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drinking water industry is continually seeking innovative disinfection strategies to control biofouling in transmission systems. This research, conducted in collaboration with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in California, compared the efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) to free chlorine (Cl2) with and without pre-treatment with low-pressure ultraviolet (UV) light for biofilm control. An additional goal was to determine disinfection by-product (DBP) formation with each disinfection strategy. Annular reactors (ARs) containing polycarbonate coupons were used to simulate EBMUD''s 90-mile aqueduct that transports surface water from a source reservoir to treatment facilities. ARs were dosed with chemical disinfectants to achieve a residual of 0. 2mg/L, which is a typical value mid-way in the aqueduct. The experiment matrix included four strategies of disinfection including UV/ClO2, ClO2, UV/Cl2 and Cl2. Two ARs acted as controls and received raw water (RW) or UV-treated water. The data presented show that the UV/ClO2 combination was most effective against suspended and attached heterotrophic (heterotrophic plate count, HPC) bacteria with 3. 93log and 2. 05log reductions, respectively. ClO2 was more effective than Cl2 at removing suspended HPC bacteria and similarly effective in biofilm bacterial removal. UV light alone was not effective in controlling suspended or biofilm bacteria compared to treatment with ClO2 or Cl2. Pre-treatment with UV was more effective overall for removal of HPC bacteria than treating with corresponding chemical disinfectants only; however, it did not lower required chemical dosages. Therefore, no significant differences were observed in DBP concentrations between ARs pre-treated with UV light and ARs not pre-treated. Disinfection with ClO2 produced fewer total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) than chlorination but did produce low levels of chlorite. These data indicate that replacing Cl2 with ClO2 would further control microbiological re-growth and minimize TTHM and HAA formation, but may introduce other DBPs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

From the time of CMB decoupling onwards we investigate cosmological evolution subject to a strongly interacting SU(2) gauge theory of Yang–Mills scale, Λ ∼ 10-4 eV (masquerading as the U(1)Y factor of the SM at present). The viability of this postulate is discussed in view of cosmological and (astro-) particle physics bounds. The gauge theory is coupled to a spatially homogeneous and ultralight (Planck-scale) axion field. As first pointed out by Frieman et al., such an axion is a viable candidate for quintessence, i.e. dynamical dark energy, being associated with today’s cosmological acceleration. A prediction of an upper limit for Δtmγ=0, the duration of the epoch stretching from the present to the point where the photon starts to be Meissner massive, is obtained: Δtmγ=0∼2.2 billion years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and full-scale tracer tests (using barium or fluoride) were used to determine the baffle factors of clearwells at three Canadian water treatment facilities (two in Ottawa, Ontario, and one in Peterborough, Ontario). A variety of clearwell baffling configurations and a range of flow rates (35 to 257 MLD) were considered. Two-dimensional CFD modeling (no depth dimension) was conducted using commercially available software (Fluent 6.0®). Virtual particle tracking allowed simulation of the residence time distribution for each clearwell configuration and flow rate condition. The baffle factors (t10/θ) derived from the CFD modeling closely matched the values obtained from full-scale tracer testing (<10% difference in most cases). The results of the study suggest that CFD modeling can be a reliable alternative to tracer testing for determining clearwell residence times and can thereby provide improved estimates of chemical disinfection performance and disinfection by-product formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This bench-scale study investigated the hypothesis that humic acids may thinly coat the surfaces of viruses (bacteriophages MS2 and T4) and thereby protect them from inactivation by UV light (254 nm). The model viruses were mixed in buffered water (pH 5.5) that contained Aldrich® humic acid (AHA) concentrations of 0, 10, 50, and 150 mg/L and were exposed to UV light at 40 and 80 mJ/cm2 for bacteriophage MS2 and 2 and 7 mJ/cm2 for bacteriophage T4 using a low pressure UV collimated beam. No steps were taken to form particles (i.e., no coagulant was added). The UV inactivation of both bacteriophages decreased to a statistically significant degree (based on 95% confidence level, Student's t test) at a humic acid concentration of 150 mg/L at the higher UV doses for each phage. This was despite the increased UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) caused by the humic acid being taken into account in the UV dose calculation. It was therefore hypothesized that the humic acid was coating the phage surfaces with a thin UV-shielding layer. As a further investigation of this hypothesis, samples containing humic acid, both with and without phage, were pelletized by ultracentrifugation and re-suspended in pure Milli-Q® water and the resulting UV254 values were compared. It was anticipated that the re-suspended pellets from the solutions containing humic acid and phage would exhibit higher UV254 than those of the pellets from solutions containing either phage or humic acid, due to the coating interaction. While there were statistically significant differences in UV254 among some of the re-suspended pellets, the results were inconsistent due to limitations of the experiment. As such, while some supporting evidence for the humic coating hypothesis was provided by this initial proof of concept study, further research is needed to more fully understand this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of the ‘third compartment’ of the ruminant forestomach, the omasum, has been debated for a long time. To date, it is assumed that its major function is fluid reabsorption. In order to investigate differences in this organ between ruminant feeding types, we first compared macroscopic measurements of the omasa of free-ranging muskoxen Ovibos moschatus [ n=6, mean body mass (BM) 207 kg, range 180–221], a grazer, and free-ranging moose Alces alces ( n=11, mean BM 291 kg, range 144–418), a strict browser. Despite the similar BM range, omasa of muskoxen contained more ingesta, had a higher empty organ weight, had more third- and fourth-order laminae, and represented a higher proportion of the total forestomach weight. In particular, the surface area of the omasal leaves – the area available for fluid absorption – was significantly larger in muskoxen (10 933±940 cm2) than in moose (2228±885 cm2). In order to test whether the difference in available surface area is a true functional correlate of feeding type, additional data on the omasal laminar surface area were generated for 83 individuals of 19 species. These data were supplemented with data on 13 additional species from the literature. The percentage of grass (%grass) in the natural diet was used to characterize the feeding type; the phylogenetic tree used for a controlled statistical evaluation was entirely based on mitochondrial DNA information. Regardless of phylogenetic control in the statistical treatment, there was a significant positive correlation of both BM and %grass in the natural diet with omasal laminar surface area. The data suggest that certain ruminant species that ingest more grass have larger omasal leaf surface areas, possibly indicating a higher need for water reabsorption distal to the ruminoreticulum, which could be explained as a consequence of the more distinct rumen contents stratification in these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphosphonates are not recommended for patients with a creatinine clearance less than 35 ml/minute, yet many individuals with osteoporosis have reduced renal function. We performed a retrospective case-control study to explore the effects of alendronate on bone mass in such individuals. Cases and controls had a mean glomerular filtration rate of 26 and 70 ml/minute, respectively, and mean age of 82 and 62 years, respectively. The change in bone mass at the spine, femur, and radius was similar between cases and controls (p > 0.05, all comparisons). A prospective clinical trial defining the role of bisphosphonate therapy among older individuals with renal disease is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified computational model of the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection dose delivered to wastewater was developed and the model outputs were compared with pilot-scale biodosimetry data. The model assumed plug flow, an assumption that may apply for some open channel UV reactors designed for wastewater disinfection and in which case may eliminate the need for involved and expensive computational fluid dynamics analyses of flow patterns. The reactor residence times derived from this assumption were combined with the output from a two-dimensional, point-source summation UV irradiance model to calculate UV dose. The output from the irradiance model was adapted to account for the cross-sectional distribution of UV irradiance within the reactor. Two UV reactor configurations were modeled and pilot-tested at two UV transmittance (UVT) values that are typical for wastewater. The simplified model predicted doses that fell within the range of the observed UV doses under some flow and UVT conditions, however it did so inconsistently and over-predicted the doses at the highest tested flow rates. This was concluded to be due to a breakdown of the simplified plug flow assumption due to deviations in the velocity field distribution at higher flows. Therefore, while this modeling approach may provide "back of the envelope" initial estimates of the UV doses supplied to wastewater and may allow a qualitative evaluation of the effect of adjusting UV reactor design parameters (e.g., channel width, lamp spacing) on the resulting UV dose, the precise quantitative prediction of UV dose must continue to rely on more sophisticated models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the incidence, morphology, and associated clinical symptoms of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective carotid artery stenting. Methods: In a prospective observational study at a tertiary care centre (university teaching hospital) 444 consecutive patients underwent elective stenting of the carotid artery. Twenty four patients had to be ruled out because of urgent carotid intervention for severe neurological symptoms, lack of compliance, complications from vascular puncture, or renal failure. In 390 patients, the coronary angiography was performed together with carotid artery stenting in a single session; the remaining 30 patients have had a recent coronary angiography. Results: One, two, and three vessel disease and left main stenoses were found in 70 (17%), 64 (15%), 93 (22%), and 31(7%) patients, respectively. Sixty six (16%) patients had a history of coronary artery disease but no current significant stenosis. Only 39% of the patients with significant stenoses (n = 258) had clinical cardiac symptoms. Conclusions: For patients undergoing elective stenting of the carotid, routine coronary angiography reliably discloses morphologically significant coronary artery disease and enables consecutive treatment in 61% and 29%. This safe measure is useful because a majority of patients with a significant stenosis are asymptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present possible realizations of gauge inflation arising from a 5D N=1 supersymmetric U(1) model, where the extra dimension is compactified on a circle. A one-loop inflaton effective 4D potential is generated, with the inflaton being a ‘Wilson-line field’. It relies on a SUSY breaking. We first consider SUSY breaking to occur spontaneously within a ‘no-scale’ model by a non-zero F-term of the radion superfield which transmits SUSY breaking into the ‘visible’ sector. As an alternative, we study D-term SUSY breaking originating directly from the 5D gauge supermultiplet. Together with the usual KK resummation method, we present a calculation with the world-line formalism. The latter allows one to get the resulting effective potential directly as a sum over all winding modes. For both presented scenarios, the generated effective potentials have suitable forms for realizing successful inflation, i.e., are flat enough and give the needed number of e-foldings. In addition, there is a natural way to get strongly suppressed values for the potentials, which then could be associated with dark energy/quintessence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ABSTRACT This study used comparisons across nine populations of Trifolium repens (white clover) in conjunction with drought to examine physiological responses to ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B). Plants were exposed for 12 weeks to supplementation with 13.3 kJ m-2 d-1 UV-B, accompanied by 4 weeks of drought under controlled environmental conditions. UV-B increased the levels of UV-B-absorbing compounds and of flavonol glycosides and this effect was synergistically enhanced by water stress. These changes were more pronounced for the ortho -dihydroxylated quercetin, rather than the monohydroxylated kaempferol glycosides. UV-B increased leaf water potential (ψ L ) by 16% under drought and proline levels by 23% under well-watered conditions. The intraspecific comparisons showed that higher UV-B-induced levels of UV-B-absorbing compounds, of quercetin glycosides and of ψ L were linked to lower plant productivity and to higher UV-B tolerance under well-watered conditions. These findings suggest that: (1) slow-growing T. repens ecotypes adapted to other stresses have higher capacity for physiological acclimation to UV-B; and (2) that these attributes also contribute to decreased UV-B sensitivity under drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A new lithotriptor for intracorporeal lithotripsy was developed combining the two most effective lithotriptors. A combination of the mechanically driven Lithoclast Master and a new ultrasonic device was constructed. Efficacy was tested in standardized model stones and in patient treatment.Material: The new lithotriptor is composed of a Lithoclast Master and an ultrasonic device (EMS, Nyon, Switzerland). The 1.0 mm Lithoclast probe is advanced off-center through the hollow 3.3 mm ultrasonic probe and protrudes about 1 mm.Five different artificial stones of defined hardness and density were used as model stones for disintegration. Time until first fragmentation and complete fragmentation (particles smaller than 2.2 mm to fit through the ultrasonic probe), percent disintegration after 1 min and time until 50% disintegration were determined for the new device as well as lithoclast and ultrasound alone.A total of 68 patients were treated by percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PNL) with the new device from February 1999 to August 2001. Lithotripsy was performed after fluoroscopically guided puncture of the lower calix and dilatation of the nephrostomy tract with coaxial bougies. Thirty-five patients had complete and 33 patients partial staghorn calculi.Results: First fragmentation was reached 25–200 times faster with the combination as with either mode alone. Disintegrated stone mass after 1 min was 1.5–4 times larger in combined lithotripsy and 50% disintegration time 30–50% shorter.Clinically, complete stone free rate (KUB and ultrasound) was 66% after the first PNL. Sixteen out of 68 patients had a second look PNL with an overall stone free rate of 89.7% by dismission. Stone composition was calcium-oxalate–monohydrate in 13%, Ca-ox–monohydrate/uric acid in 35%, apatite in 20% and cystine in 11%.Conclusion: In in vitro experiments and clinically the new lithotriptor provides easy handling and high effectivity in fragmentation of all stones regardless of their composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water utilities may have to consider changing disinfectant to improve water quality and meet more stringent disinfection regulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of a full-scale drinking water distribution system to a change in disinfectant from chlorine to chlorine dioxide, in terms of its impact on microbiological stability and disinfection by-product formation. Chlorine dioxide residuals were consistently present above detection limits throughout the distribution system (>0.20 mg/L). Over a study period of 3.5 months, no degradation of bacterial water quality occurred after implementing the new disinfectant. Chlorine dioxide maintained total bacteria (microscopic counts) and heterotrophic plate count levels below 2 x 10[sup 5] cells/mL and 1000 CFU/mL, respectively. The change in disinfectant from chlorine to chlorine dioxide led to an 85% reduction in trihalomethanes (i.e., from 30 to 5 mg/L) and a 60% reduction in haloacetic acids (i.e., from 20 to 8 mg/L). Chlorine dioxide represents a valuable tool to produce high quality water and is a strong alternative to chlorine for certain distribution systems. Key words: distribution system, chlorine dioxide, drinking water quality, disinfection by-products.Certains distributeurs d'eau potable vont devoir considérer changer de désinfectant pour pouvoir respecter les nouvelles normes de désinfection. Cette étude avait pour but de determiner les effets du passage du chlore au dioxide de chlore sur la stabilité bactérienne et la formation des sous produits de désinfection dans un réseau d'eau potable. Après désinfection au dioxide de chlore, il était possible de maintenir des résiduels de dioxide de chlore déctectables dans l'ensemble du reseau (>0,20 mg/L). Durant la période d'étude de 3,5 mois, la qualité microbienne de l'eau ne s'est pas dégradée après passage au bioxide de chlore. Les concentrations totales de bacteries restèrent inférieures a 2 x 10[sup 5] cellules/mL dans le réseau (comptage au microscope par épifluorescence), tandis que les denombrements de germes hétérotrophes ne dépassèrent pas 1000 UFC/mL. Après le changement de désinfectant, les concentrations de trihalométhane ont été réduites de 85 % (de 30 mg/L à 5 mg/L). De même, les niveaux des acides haloacétiques ont diminué de 60 % (de 20 mg/L à 8 mg/L). Le dioxide de chlore peut s'avérer un outil valable pour remplacer le chlore dans certains réseaux de distribution. Mots clés : réseau de distribution, dioxide de chlore, qualité des eau potables, sous-produit de désinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess a new lithotripter for intracorporal lithotripsy, which combines the mechanically driven pneumatic LithoClast™ (Electro-Medical Systems, Nyon, Switzerland) and a new ultrasonic device (Electro-Medical Systems), for use in percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PNL). Patients and methods The new lithotripter consists of a LithoClast Master with 12 Hz repetition rate and a new ultrasonic device. The 1.0 mm LithoClast probe is advanced off-centre through the hollow 3.3 mm ultrasonic probe and protrudes about 1 mm. A new irrigation system with a pinch valve compressing the irrigation tube, a foot-switch for activating the ultrasound, the LithoClast and both together, and a stone bucket at the outlet tube are new features. Between February 1999 and August 2001, 68 patients were treated by PNL with the new device; 35 had complete and 33 had partial staghorn calculi. PNL was administered under fluoroscopic control and with the patient prone. Results The mean (range) duration of surgery was 61 (42–119) min. The complete stone-free rate was 66% after the first PNL; of the 68 patients, 16 received a second PNL, giving a final stone-free rate of 76% and 80%. The stone was composed of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) in 13%, COM with uric acid in 35%, apatite in 20% and cystine in 11%. Clinically the new lithotripter was very effective, producing smaller stone particles and thus fewer residual stone fragments after PNL than with the LithoClast or ultrasonic fragmentation alone. Conclusion The new lithotripter provides easily managed and highly effective stone fragmentation of all stones, regardless of their composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is increasingly used in managing acute renal failure (ARF) as it offers hemodynamic stability and significant solute clearance in this setting. However, it also requires anticoagulation. Traditionally, heparin has been the anticoagulant of choice but this increases hemorrhagic risk in already high-risk ARF patients. Regional citrate anticoagulation offsets this risk. However, it can be difficult to manipulate regional anticoagulation in CRRT. Moreover, citrate CRRT has been plagued by short optimal filter patency times. METHODS: We designed a novel citrate-based anticoagulation schema for continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVHF). We implemented this schema prospectively in caring for 24 individuals admitted to the intensive care unit with ARF requiring CRRT. Each individual had a contraindication to systemic anticoagulation. We evaluated filter patency using Kaplan-Meier methodology, comparing the effect of this citrate-CVVHF system to historical, saline-flush control CVVHF systems. RESULTS: 58 filters ran for a total of 2637.5 h. Average filter patency time was 45.4 ± 25.5 h. At 48 h, 70% of the CVVHF-citrate system filters remained patent compared to only 16% of historical control saline-flush systems (p = 0.0001). The average filtered urea nitrogen/blood urea nitrogen ratio was 0.84 ± 0.06 with an average urea clearance of 28.5 ± 4.1 mL/min for CVVHF-citrate-treated individuals. Only three patients experienced transient complications related to CVVHF-citrate with resolution of these complications within 24 h. Ultimately, 58.3% of the CVVHF-citrate-treated patients survived to ICU discharge. CONCLUSIONS: This novel CVVHF-citrate system achieved excellent clearance and dramatically improved filter patency compared to saline-flush systems. Moreover, it did so with minimal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated analysis of vector and axial-vector spectral functions is presented. The resonant contributions to the spectral integrals are shown to be expressible as multiples of 4π2fπ2, encoding the scale of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in QCD. Up to order T2 this behavior carries over to the case of finite temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Severity stratification and prediction models are important tools for gauging outcomes in critically ill patients. However, most severity scoring systems are inaccurate when attempting to predict mortality in individuals with acute renal failure (ARF), including the APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II scoring system. APACHE III scoring encompasses a greater array of physiologic parameters that may better correlate with outcome in ARF. We evaluated APACHE II and APACHE III scoring in 27 individuals admitted to the intensive acre unit (ICU) with ARF requiring dialysis. We also evaluated the predictive value of serial APACHE III scoring on mortality. Sixteen of the study subjects were discharged alive from the ICU. APACHE II scores for ICU survivors versus nonsurvivors were not significantly different at the outset of dialysis treatment, though they did discriminate between survivors and nonsurvivors at 48 hours (survivors 15 ± 6.2; nonsurvivors 18.1 ± 6.9; p = 0.019). However, average APACHE III scores for survivors were significantly less than those for nonsurvivors on all days of score collection, including at the outset of dialysis (day 0 survivors 94.7 ± 22.1; nonsurvivors 106.8 ± 21.7; p = 0.03). APACHE III scores on day 2 also discriminated between those who recovered renal function (83.6 ± 16.7) compared to those who did not (105.6 ± 21.4) (p = 0.05). Serial APACHE III scoring provided rapid and reproducible scoring that differentiated between survivors and nonsurvivors in a group of critically ill patients with ARF. This study suggests that further investigations are warranted to confirm whether serial APACHE III scoring should be considered as an adjunct clinical tool in caring for individuals with ARF in the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is experiencing increased levels of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation in temperate pastures due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. Based on 17 morphological, morphogenetic and physiological attributes, this study analysed the consequences of enhanced UV-B on 26 white clover populations using principal components analysis (PCA). After 18 d of exposure to 13·3 kJ m-2 d-1 UV-B in controlled environments, UV-B significantly decreased above-ground and below-ground plant growth attributes, epidermal cell surface area and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm). Aspects of cell division and cell expansion both were negatively affected by UV-B. Stomatal density, specific leaf mass, root-to-shoot ratio and levels of UV-B-absorbing compounds increased in response to UV-B. In the multivariate analysis, the main dimension of UV-B sensitivity was characterized by changes in plant growth attributes. Alterations in partitioning within and between plant organs constituted a secondary tier of UV-B responsiveness. Plant characteristics related to UV-B tolerance included lower growth rate, smaller epidermal cell surface area and higher UV-B-induced levels of UV-B-absorbing compounds. The results suggest overall UV-B tolerance for slower-growing populations from less productive habitats with higher natural UV-B irradiance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prebreeding in plants is the activity designed to identify useful characteristics from wild germplasm and its integration in breeding programs. Prebreeding aims to introduce new variation into the populations of a species of interest. Pedigree analysis is a valuable tool for evaluation of variation in genebanks where pedigree maps are used to visualize and describe population structure and variation within these populations. Margot Forde Germplasm Centre (MFGC) is New Zealand's national forage genebank and holds a collection of ~ 75 species of the genus Trifolium, of which only a dozen have been taken through prebreeding programs. The main objective of this study was to construct pedigree maps and analyse patterns of relatedness for seven minor Trifolium species accessions contained at the MFGC. These species are Trifolium ambiguum, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium hybridum, Trifolium medium, Trifolium subterraneum and the Trifolium repens x Trifolium occidentale interspecific hybrids. We present a history of Trifolium spp. prebreeding in New Zealand and inform breeders of possible alternative forage species to use. Results: Pedigree data from accessions introduced between 1950 and 2016 were used and filtered based on breeding activity. Kinship levels among Trifolium spp. remained below 8% and no inbreeding was found. Influential ancestors that contributed largely to populations structure were identified. The Australian cultivar 'Monaro' had a strong influence over the whole population of accessions in T. ambiguum. T. subterraneum and T. repens x T. occidentale had the largest number of generations (3). T. ambiguum and T. medium had the highest cumulative kinship across the decades. Conclusions: We conclude that there are high levels of diversity in the seven Trifolium spp. studied. However, collection and prebreeding efforts must be strengthened to maximize utilization and bring useful genetic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Room temperature distributed-feedback (DFB) laser operation is demonstrated with emission wavelengths ranging from 389 to 399 nm. Second-order DFB gratings were defined by electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching in the top GaN barrier layer of a GaInN/GaN double heterostructure grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Our data allow a precise determination of the effective refractive index neff(λ) over the whole emission range. neff(λ) is compared with previously published values for GaN and GaInN. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Most trials that have shown a benefit of beta-blocker treatment after myocardial infarction included patients with large myocardial infarctions and were conducted in an era before modern biomarker-based diagnosis of myocardial infarction and treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention, antithrombotic agents, high-intensity statins, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists. METHODS In a parallel-group, open-label trial performed at 45 centers in Sweden, Estonia, and New Zealand, we randomly assigned patients with an acute myocardial infarction who had undergone coronary angiography and had a left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 50% to receive either long-term treatment with a beta-blocker (metoprolol or bisoprolol) or no beta-blocker treatment. The primary end point was a composite of death from any cause or new myocardial infarction. RESULTS From September 2017 through May 2023, a total of 5020 patients were enrolled (95.4% of whom were from Sweden). The median follow-up was 3.5 years (interquartile range, 2.2 to 4.7). A primary end-point event occurred in 199 of 2508 patients (7.9%) in the beta-blocker group and in 208 of 2512 patients (8.3%) in the no-beta-blocker group (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.79 to 1.16; P=0.64). Beta-blocker treatment did not appear to lead to a lower cumulative incidence of the secondary end points (death from any cause, 3.9% in the beta-blocker group and 4.1% in the no-beta-blocker group; death from cardiovascular causes, 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively; myocardial infarction, 4.5% and 4.7%; hospitalization for atrial fibrillation, 1.1% and 1.4%; and hospitalization for heart failure, 0.8% and 0.9%). With regard to safety end points, hospitalization for bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block, hypotension, syncope, or implantation of a pacemaker occurred in 3.4% of the patients in the beta-blocker group and in 3.2% of those in the no-beta-blocker group; hospitalization for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 0.6% and 0.6%, respectively; and hospitalization for stroke in 1.4% and 1.8%. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent early coronary angiography and had a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>50%), long-term beta-blocker treatment did not lead to a lower risk of the composite primary end point of death from any cause or new myocardial infarction than no beta-blocker use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The success of cochlear implantation in postlingually deafened adults is usually measured by puretone and speech audiometry. However, the WHO states in the ICF that rehabilitation should also be assessed according to individual communication skills, social participation and quality of life. We developed and implemented a questionnaire that focuses on everyday communication and allows comparison between people with normal and impaired hearing. A parallel version for assessment of the CI-users' communication by their significant other was also developed. Additionally, we assessed social participation and quality of life of CI-users before implantation and with 4 months CI experience Sources and methods: In a prospective pilot study, five post-lingually and progressively deafened participants (55-80 yrs) and their significant others answered questionnaires concerning communication behaviour (questionnaire developed by the authors), social and emotional handicap (HHIA, HHIE, HII-SOP) [1-3], and quality of life (AQoL-6D) [4] at two timepoints: before implantation and with 4 months CI experience. Hearing ability was measured using pure-tone and speech audiometry and the SSQ [5]. Five matched normal-hearing participants served as controls. Results: Participants with 4 months CI experience reported fewer misunderstandings, higher communicative success and less communicative effort than before implantation, though they did not reach the level of normal-hearing controls on these measures. CI users still often pretend that they have understood spoken communication and are still dependent on their significant other. They wish for further communicative success and greater independence. Conclusion: Cochlear implantation alone does not lead to normal communication behaviour and social participation. These issues and the role of the significant other should also be focused on in rehabilitation alongside auditory training. Apart from the AQoL-6D the questionnaires used in this study proved to be suitable instruments for documenting the course of rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fermionic Green’s functions of QCD exhibit an unexpected property of effective locality, which appears to be exact, involving no approximation. This property is nonperturbative, resulting from a full integration of the elementary gluonic degrees of freedom of QCD. Recalling, correcting, and extending the derivations of effective locality, focus is put on the way nonabelian gauge invariance gets realized in the fermionic nonperturbative regime of QCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few years ago the use of standard functional manipulations was demonstrated to imply an unexpected property satisfied by the fermionic Green's functions of QCD: effective locality. This feature of QCD is non-perturbative as it results from a full integration of the gluonic degrees of freedom. In this paper, previous derivations of effective locality are reviewed, corrected, and enhanced. Focusing on the way non-Abelian gauge-invariance is realized in the non-perturbative regime of QCD, the deeper meaning of effective locality is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "In-Stent Restenosis in Bare Metal Stents and Drug-Eluting Stents After Primary Stenting and Stem Cell Transplantation for Myocardial Infarction: A Randomised Quantitative Coronary Angiography Study," by C. Steinwender and colleagues is presented.

Cites a study on treatment of contralateral adrenal metastasis (CAM) of renal cell carcinoma. Association of CAM with ipsilateral disease in five patients; Possibility of an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus arising from a CAM.

Supporting and upskilling teachers are essential to enhancing the quality of learning in developing contexts – the focus of Education For All – yet little evidence exists concerning what kinds of teacher education are actually most effective and what changes in ‘quality’ are desired and feasible. This paper illustrates how a concrete, research-informed school-based, model of professional development in sub-Saharan Africa can address the quality agenda. It reports on a trial of a pioneering, multimedia programme supporting interactive mathematics and science teaching using open educational resources and classroom digital technology, where available. The programme was carefully adapted to the Zambian context and ran weekly for one school year with 12 teachers in a low-resourced primary school. The study examined the impact on teachers' thinking and classroom practices. Data were derived from observations, lesson and workshop recordings, teacher interviews, portfolios and audio diaries. Through a teacher-led workshop approach and trialling new pedagogical strategies, teachers raised their expectations of pupils, adapted to learners’ knowledge levels, used more practical and group work, and integrated technology use. Pupils built deeper understanding of subject matter, were actively engaged, worked collaboratively and used digital technologies for problem-solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eikonal and quenched approximations, it is argued that the strong coupling fermionic QCD Green's functions and related amplitudes depart from a sole dependence on the quadratic Casimir operator, , evaluated over the fundamental gauge group representation. Noted in nonrelativistic quark models and in a nonperturbative generalization of the Schwinger mechanism, an additional dependence on the cubic Casimir operator shows up, in contradistinction with perturbation theory and other nonperturbative approaches. However, it accounts for the full algebraic content of the rank-2 Lie algebra of . Though numerically subleading effects, cubic Casimir dependences, here and elsewhere, appear to be a signature of the nonperturbative fermionic sector of QCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of dissolved air flotation (DAF) have shown formation of stratified flow (back and forth horizontal flow layers at the top of the separation zone) and its impact on improved DAF efficiency. However, there has been a lack of experimental validation of CFD predictions, especially in the presence of solid particles. In this work, for the first time, both twophase (air-water) and three-phase (air-water-solid particles) CFD models were evaluated at pilot scale using measurements of residence time distribution, bubble layer position and bubble-particle contact efficiency. The pilot-scale results confirmed the accuracy of the CFD model for both twophase and three-phase flows, but showed that the accuracy of the three-phase CFD model would partly depend on the estimation of bubble-particle attachment efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]